Little White Church in Winter

 

The longer I thought about my last Little White Church, the more I knew I had to do it again.  I can't exactly put my finger on why, but I am so much more pleased with this one. It's done more loosely and painterly, yet it's oddly more realistic.

I called my art mentor and told her I wanted to change my response to our weekly-ish challenge for "Little White Church."  She laughed since we've been making up our rules as we go for as long as we've been doing this.

*Thanks again to Sara for the image that I used... then used again!

Original Oil Painting on 11"x 14" Wrapped Canvas

[SOLD]

Stone Chapel

A little stone chapel nestled on the edge of the woods...  It makes me wonder... How long ago was it built?  Who built it? Who worships there? How many couples have been married there? Does the stained glass make a lovely pattern across the pews when the sun shines through?

I painted my little stone chapel in response to Sara's Little White Church from this month's Inspiration Collaboration.

Original Oil Painting on 8"x 10" Wrapped Canvas
[SOLD]

Wedding Chapel

What's a good boost to an artist's confidence?

This  is the very first painting I ever sold.   When I first started taking art lessons (4 years ago), I was so excited and amazed that my humble attempts actually looked like what they were supposed to be!  I'd go to class every Monday night then take my (wet) painting to school Tuesday morning to show my friends.  "Look what I did now! Can you tell it's a tree?"
I'd painted a tree, a cup, a flower, an owl, a guitar, a child... Then a friend asked me how much I'd charge to paint the chapel where her daughter got married.... gasp!... really?... (Could that be a real, live commission?!)   I was nervous and so wanted her to be pleased... 
She was.
By the way, and if you're wondering... I made about $1.15 per hour on that job... Yikes!  Good thing I kept my teaching job!

Chapel in the Alps

le Tour de France anyone?

No, this chapel isn't on the route of the big bicycle race. And, no it's not even in France. But... I have been watching the Tour for the last few days. It's put me in a European frame of mind, I guess. Seeing all those castles and cathedrals and amazing old buildings is part of the reason for watching. So, why would a very non-sport person like me care?

Several years ago I hurt my back and spent most of July in bed. The Tour was on every day. The next July I broke my leg and had another extended bed stay. Again, the Tour was on, and this time I knew the riders and rules. Since then I've just been hooked.

This painting is one that comes from a place near where my son-in-law lived as a child. Switzerland? or maybe Germany? I love the majesty of the Alps in the background, the vineyards behind the church, and the gentle little river in the foreground. I love the simplicity of this little church placed in such an awe-inspiring setting.